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Decoding the Basics of Retail Warehousing and Fulfillment

The retail industry is getting hugely benefited by ecommerce and major ripples are being felt by the concerned supply chain management systems. With the entire retail ecosystem getting updated, it’s only fitting that businesses start focusing more on warehousing and fulfillment solutions for skyrocketing productivity. Moreover, the retail ecosystem is also witnessing a paradigm shift with companies increasingly focusing on an Omni-Channel customer experience. In addition to that, increased focus on decentralized fulfillment and distributed warehousing solutions are some of the potent strategies which the retail industry is integrating within its framework.

Addressing the Concept of Retail Warehousing

Customers within the retail industry prefer availing their products from random channels without having to wait for the stock to arrive at specific locations. If the logistical aspect is concerned, the retail industry primarily requires an agile and dynamic warehousing plan to thrive. Inefficient logistics can cause some serious damage to productivity and reputation of a retail chain and it’s important that distributed warehousing becomes a norm in this sector.

However, it is important to get well versed with this concept before looking in to the technical details. Distributed warehousing solutions help customers by fulfilling their requirements without making them dependent on the store inventory. Unlike the traditional warehousing techniques where the stock needs to be picked up from the warehouses in case there is a demand at the stores, distributed warehousing allows fulfillment from almost anywhere.

While distributed warehousing is a highly innovative concept, its implementation within the retail sector requires higher levels of expertise. Majority of retail stores aren’t capable of handling critical ecommerce orders and therefore using them as portable warehouses, isn’t the best possible solution. In addition to that, stores managing fulfillment via distributed warehousing must also have the technological expertise to make things happen. Deploying a fully functional distributed warehousing module takes time and requires the concerned retailer to opt for BOT solutions.

Advantages of Distributed Warehousing in Retail

Now when we have addressed the premise and underlining issues related to Distributed Warehousing, it’s important to enlist the benefits of the same, especially for the retail sector. An efficient strategy minimizes the overall freight costs and renders higher levels of controllability to the shipments. The ecommerce landscape associated with retail can be improved with functional warehousing strategies on-board. Moreover, majority of sales occur online and Distributed Warehousing takes performance and productivity to a whole new level. One such example would be the aspect of same day shipping, adopted by some leading online retail chains. This innovation is possible only with functional warehousing techniques added into the scheme of things.

Fulfillment Solutions for the Retail Industry

While retail stores with sufficient levels of technological expertise can be used for addressing the warehousing requirements, the retail industry needs to be way more selective regarding the fulfillment solutions. Having a multi-channel partner for handling the fulfillment requirements is important, especially for the retail sector. Some of the important aspects which need to be taken care of include:

1.       Excellent Inventory Management

The fulfillment partners must be proactive and look to address the aspects of inventory management. While warehousing is a completely separate section, modern day fulfillment service providers are trained to handle certain aspects of the same. Inventory management, however, looks to maintain order accuracy by offering real-time stock monitoring.

2.       Seasonal Demands Covered

An exceptional fulfillment partner stays on top of the demands and helps improve the overall structure of a retail management plan. This includes accommodating periods of massive order volumes.

3.       Reporting Capabilities

An efficient fulfillment strategy is also capable of sending out real-time reports regarding the granular, retail-specific insights. This aspect is highly resourceful when it comes to adapting and even improving the varied warehouse processes.

Benefits of Omni-Channel Fulfillment Strategies

Fulfillment strategies pertaining to retail can improve the revenue model of an organization. In addition to that, warehouse productivity also gets a boost as the shipped inventory reaches the concerned customer base, without fail. Customer satisfaction levels increase and the brand perception also gets a much required boost.

Inference

The retail industry is evolving constantly and businesses can be seen emphasizing on the aspects of warehousing and fulfillment for improving their chance of growth, better sales and improved productivity.

Warehouse, Pick and Packing
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How is Pick and Pack Distribution Beneficial?

When you have to fulfil customer orders for products, often you might have to assemble a set of items together before shipping the complete package to your customer. Pick and Pack Distribution refers to the process where you receive the multiple components at a warehouse, and there they picked and assembled together by the warehouse staff, and then packaged and shipped to the relevant customers.

 

If you don’t use pick and pack distribution process, then the option for you is to set up your own assembly area, employ staff to receive, store and repackage the goods, and then send them out.

 

Both systems of working have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on various factors like the size of the business you are running, kind of products you are selling, what kinds of clients you serve, and so on.

 

Let us look at these aspects, in order to help you take a decision on what kind of distribution system you want to employ.

 

 

Pick and Pack: The Basics

Receiving the goods from different suppliers and storing them in a warehouse is an involved job that sorts and stores items in order to best utilize the warehouse space and logistics. Usually warehouses are shared between multiple businesses. There are different zones for storing items, according to their size classification – like full pallet, half pallet, case, individual item, etc.

 

A warehouse service provider receives goods meant for different businesses and stores them in the most efficient way possible. In the case of Pick and Pack Distribution, the warehouse staff receive the orders, then pick the items from the respective storage areas, assemble and package them, before sending them out.

 

Often, the orders are assembled by picking the goods belonging to different companies, as the final product to be shipped might be a composite one.

 

What are the Advantages of Pick and Pack?

 

  • Cost-effectiveness: Pick and Pack system is cost-effective because the warehouse space is shared and the overheads are distributed between multiple business; plus, the process involves no minimum order sizes and can be extremely flexible. Also, the business can avoid the cost and lead time of setting up their own assembly area and the corresponding staffing.

 

  • Efficiency: It is more efficient to store and assemble the orders from a single location as it reduces the transport and the different agencies involved in reshipping.

 

  • Agile and swift: Pick and Pack is a highly flexible and agile system, as we have seen, because of the elimination of redundant steps in the supply-chain, and is therefore quick and ensures shorter turnaround times for the end to end process.

 

So- what’s the recommendation for me, then?

 

Having understood the benefits offered by Pick and Pack, you need to evaluate whether your business will benefit from these efficiencies; and make a choice depending on the business model and processes that you employ. For example, if your final shipped packages are comprised of one or two items only, then it might be better for you to pack and dispatch them yourself. At the other extreme if your end package is extremely complex, requiring specialized knowledge to assemble it, then again it might be better for you to choose another method.

 

Another consideration for you to bear in mind is whether you enjoy the services of an efficient third-party logistics provider who can provide you these services. Because, Pick and Pack is great if done right, but can be horribly messy if it is in the wrong hands!

 

But if you need to harvest the benefits of efficient warehousing and outsourced product packaging and shipping, then Pick and Pack is the way forward for you. So, take your call, and be on your way to greater efficiencies!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warehouse 3pl
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How Outsourcing Impacts Warehousing, Distribution and Packaging Services?

Running a company is a time-consuming affair— regardless of the involved manpower and existing technologies. Despite the operations being tedious and stressful, it is important for the companies to abide by the federal guidelines when it comes to the quality of products. Manufacturers, therefore, are responsible when it comes to the quality standards and there are times when addressing the aspects of warehousing, packaging and distribution becomes nearly impossible. In this keenly contested arena, it is always advisable to outsource certain services by hiring experienced professionals. A good logistics company can therefore do the trick for the entrepreneurs, assisting them with some of the trickier aspects of retail.

Outsourcing Warehouse Services: Enumerating the Benefits

Maintaining a sizeable warehouse space is difficult, especially for companies that are already manufacturing the products. While constructing personalized storage facilities can incur massive costs, hiring specialized services from logistics companies of repute is always a better option. Needless to say, a startup or even a medium-sized firm cannot afford to spend recklessly on building and operating a bespoke warehouse. Therefore, outsourcing warehouse services is one of the most efficient techniques to grow bigger in this competitive market.

That said, an outsourced warehouse usually functions on a contractual basis which simplifies things further for the manufacturers. Shared storage facilities are quite common as the warehouse expenses are then distributed among select manufactures. A large warehouse offers a host of amenities and multiple small businesses can make the best use of the same without paying up exorbitant rates.

Why Packaging Services Need to be outsourced?

Ecommerce Warehouse

In the modern era, product packaging is more of a compulsion and less of a choice. The entire process is a highly regulated marketing charade that influences a product’s state of well-being. It is necessary that manufacturers opt for the most appropriate form of packaging based on the product and its longevity. Then again, it gets extremely hard for the manufacturers to plan out the packaging strategies, all by themselves. This is why companies need to hire specialized 3PL service providers for outsourcing their packaging requirements. One must understand that packaging is a highly technical process and should only be handled by specialists.

Is it Important to Outsource Distribution Services?

Warehouse Distribution , Logistics 3PL

Put simply, the answer to the question asked would definitely be a big ‘Yes’. For manufacturers to grow their business, it is important for them to cater to diverse customer bases. However, a lot of planning is involved when it comes to making the products available to the customers, via offline and online retail chains. Outsourcing distribution services can help as logistics companies maintain sizeable fleets of dispatchers and skilled drivers, helping the manufacturers with the outreach. While it is important to manufacture a quality product, making it available within a competitive marketplace is what solidifies the position of the concerned brand. Customers will keep purchasing only if the product is delivered to them with care. Proper packaging, as mentioned previously, is an important aspect, synonymous to distribution centers.

The Concept of Outsourcing

Entrepreneurs prefer maximizing revenues without having to invest a lot. For this to materialize, they should take strategic decisions involving qualified 3PL service providers. Product manufacturers already have their hands full and it is therefore necessary that they rely on 3rd party fulfillment services for handling warehousing, distribution and even packaging.

While packaging is essentially a technical aspect, most 3PL service providers basically concentrate on warehousing and distribution for serving the manufacturers better. For a business to grow, it needs to gain competitive advantage as a startup. Outsourcing can eventually simplify the entire process of growth by offering best-in-class benefits to the concerned organization. The good thing about hiring third party services is that the storage facilities and distribution warehouses offered by them are closer to the client base. As outsourcing is mostly a contractual process, it becomes all the more important for the logistics company to offer the best set of services for the existing price point. This approach makes the retail sector extremely scalable.

Bottom Line

Based on a reliable study i.e. The State of Logistics Outsourcing, 2007— at least 69 percent of companies across the globe rely on third party logistics for handling warehousing and distribution services and a majority could already measure the return on investment, synonymous to these services.

Outsourcing isn’t a complicated process when it comes to the implementation. However, the perfect service provider must be zeroed in, based on a company’s manufacturing and marketing requirements.

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Why Warehousing, Distribution and Packaging Impacts Customer Satisfaction Levels?

At present, there isn’t a lot of empirical research going on regarding customer satisfaction and how it impacts the share-of-wallet. Moreover, some basic study modules have revealed that customer satisfaction is actually relatable to word of mouth, market share and even the repurchase intention. That said, enterprises that thrive on product sales are known to have warehouses and logistical considerations to look at. Needless to say, the deployed warehouse management techniques reveal a lot about the concerned organization an how it fares in  terms of customer service and satisfaction.

The Basics of Warehouse Management

There are a host of metrics that determine whether the company is looking to establish long-term relationships with the buyers or just trying to initiate moderate levels of purchases. However, amplified levels of productivity rates and efficient strategies can certainly drive in a lot of credibility for the companies. One aspect that simplifies things for the entrepreneurs is warehouse management that actually takes certain logistical considerations into the mix. Basically, if the existing warehouse is beefed up with products and showcases higher productivity levels, the confidence will surely rub on to the consumers— facilitating enhanced levels of customer satisfaction.

The likes of processing errors, shipping delays and other pitfalls are directly proportional to an incompetent warehouse which in turn sends a wrong message to the existing customer base. Therefore, it is important to make use of management software for minimizing manual interventions and improving overall retention rates and associated services.

The software module is probably the first step towards efficient warehousing— helping organizations with better visibility and customer service considerations. In this digital sphere, most users prefer quicker deliveries and hassle free returns. This is where having a well-managed warehouse sends out the right message.

Measuring Customer Satisfaction: The Handy Determinants

Having warehouse management software at the helm can easily measure certain automated considerations behind the convoluted world of customer service and satisfaction. Be it assessing the reduced customer churn, enhanced lifetime value or existing points of customer differentiation— it is important that organizations are well-versed with these determinants in order to leverage the warehouse management essentials in the best possible manner.

Moreover, customer satisfaction or the absence of it can determine whether the repurchases will be made and how loyal the existing consumer base is. Therefore, it is important to pair up warehouse management techniques with customer service modules, in order to understand the best practices and even the associated inadequacies.

The Concept of Warehousing

In basics terms, a warehouse or rather the storehouse is an area that shelters materials depending upon the distribution, production, packaging and even the maintenance requirements. As demands for products and goods grow, warehouses provide the needed strength to an organization— especially when it comes to making something available on a wider scale.

Be it a single-storied warehouse or a building with multiple stories— the storehouse deign can essentially determine the types of products stored within the establishment.  In simpler terms, the underlining design addresses the nooks and crannies associated with a warehouse management plan which in turn determines how satisfied or dissatisfied the existing customers are.

Warehouse management works in cohesion with storehouse maintenance and inventory control. It is obvious that customers wouldn’t like a product that’s old or expired and therefore maintaining the storehouse becomes exceedingly important. Not just that, the associated inventory or the collection of goods and products should be updated periodically, which then leads us towards inventory control.

Why Stocktaking is Important?

Product segregation is strictly customer-specific and depends on the purchase patterns. Therefore, companies with dedicated storehouses should look to strike the perfect balance between demand and supply. Stocktaking is one such concept that determines the balance between the stored items. This also involves physical checks and timely investigations for minimizing stock discrepancies. For those who are looking to delve deeper into the concept, stocktaking is further segregated into spot-checking, periodic and continuous stocktaking.

How important is Safety?

Warehouse safety, Warehouse management

A customer might not physically visit a warehouse but he or she gets a fair idea upon seeing the condition of the product in hand. This is where safety and security considerations come in handy while discussing warehouse management. While the store management security keeps the products and stocks away from miscreants— there are private security standards courtesy the inclusion of 3PL systems and other e-fulfillment options. Having storehouse security standards in place can readily amplify the stock value by improving upon the operational roles synonymous to an organization. Last but not the least, proper safety measures also keep the production values intact.

Bottom-Line

Warehouse management is a holistic process that involves a wide array of metrics to work with. Be it inventory control or the associated safety measures pertaining to a storehouse, warehousing is a concept that directly or indirectly influences customer satisfaction levels. In addition to the aspects which are already covered, warehouse management also involves packaging, preservation and keeping stock records. These facets work in cohesion with the inventory control and safety considerations; thereby offering an enviable user experience— both in terms of sales and services.